The Obama White House State Dinner for India Open Thread

24 Nov 2009 Author: rikyrah

U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose with India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2nd R) and his wife Gursharan Kaur before a state dinner on the North Portico of the White House November 24, 2009.
————REUTERS/Jason Reed

This is it.
The first State Dinner for the Obama White House, and it’s for the country of India.

The President and First Lady are hosting the dinner for
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mrs. Gursharan Kaur of India.

This is showtime for the First Lady and Social Secretary Desiree Rogers.
Can’t wait to see who was invited, and who was not…LOL

Details known so far – hat tip, Mrs. O

Venue: Heated tent on the South Lawn of the White House

Guest Count: 320 – 400

Guest List: Click here

Place setting: Click here

Menu: Click here

Guest Chef: Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit

Featured Performers: Oscar-winners Jennifer Hudson and A. R. Rahman (the latter composed the soundtrack for “Slumdog Millionaire”)

59004709

59004717
WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 24: Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh (2R) and his wife Gursharan Kaur (L) stand with U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and First Lady Michelle Obama before a state dinner at the North Portico of the White House November 24, 2009 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama hosted their first State Dinner for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur of India.
———Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

statedinner2
According to Mrs. O.org, Michelle’s gown was designed by Naem Khan!

Tags: First Lady Michelle Obama, India, Social Secretary Desiree Rogers, State Dinner, The White House

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GreenLadyHere

rikyrah: JUST 'CAUSE - - - -

"FIERCE & FYYYYYYYNE!!" :>)

THAT IS ALL!! :>)

GreenLadyHere

rikyrah: U.S. President Barack Obama and Manmohan Singh, India's prime minister, propose a toast during the State Dinner on the South Lawn of the White House November 24, 2009 in Washington, D.C.

Here's 2 YA! :>)

rikyrah

SECOND OPEN THREAD IS UP, COMPLETE WITH LOTS OF PICTURES

rikyrah

found Desiree...still looking for Valerie Jarrett

GreenLadyHere

rikyrah: FROM The WHITE HOUSE BLOG:

The First State Dinner: President Obama Welcomes His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh of India

There is a VIDEO. :>) ACTUALLY - - -SEVERAL! :>)

GreenLadyHere

rikyrah: Here's a nice INTERNATIONAL touch:

+Indian Americans attend the state arrival ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the East Room of the White House November 24, 2009 in Washington, DC. :>)

AxelFoley

My FLOTUS is off the damn chain.

mandy5401

She looked absolutely gorgeous tonight. Her dress was sheer perfection.

rikyrah

She is stunning.

WordSmith

Tom fucking Friedman? and his wife? Nooo - no.

Char Lugar out of jail from her recent DUI....

Paula Throckmorton Zakaria is there without Fareed! Oh, girl..... nah - just missed his name.

rikyrah

Eric Holder and his wife look good.

angee

Loved his wife's gown. She said it was off the rack, couldn't understand the designer's name though.

rikyrah

couldn't hear that either, but I thought she looked terrific

Myth

Just saw Valerie Jarrett on CNN; her dress was a little matronly.

vdrome

I wonder if he convince them to top taking all our outsourced work?

rikyrah

still looking for pictures of Valerie Jarett and Desiree Rogers.

rikyrah

Melody Barnes was there, looking good, with her new husband.

AxelFoley

Melody is fine hell. There's some mighty fly sistas in the Obama administration.

rikyrah

Colin and Alma Powell were there.

Myth

Plenty people of color under the tent. Goose-bumps!

AxelFoley

Damn darkies are takin' over!!!

rikyrah

They say that when they see more than 2 Black folk.

Miranda

*dead*

WordSmith

Okay I think Michelle looks divine. I LIKE that shawl Gursharan Kaur is wearing.

Myth

Truly divine!!

Myth

Hello all...I'm really feeling the AA gentleman serving the dranks (LOL)!!

GreenLady do you have the 411 on him?

GreenLadyHere

HEEEEY Myth: THANK U!! :>)

I'll TA-RY!! :>)

Have a Blessed THANKSGIVING!! :>) ***HUGS***

Myth

I am thankful for you too GreenLady. Have a great Thanksgiving and be blessed with great health.

GreenLadyHere

myth: U R 2 KIND!! :>) :>)

rikyrah

I remember reading that a number of people in service at the White House have put off retirement because they wanted to serve a Black First Family. Can you imagine working at the White House all those years and have the chance to serve the Obamas?

Miranda

That's amazing...I can SO see it because I would do it...that's the kind of little trivia that would drive the neo-cons bullistic. LOL

Myth

I am sure they count it an honor and a privilege.

rikyrah

oh, no doubt. they are wonderful professionals, and this is probably the cherry on top of the sundae for them.

blksista

Hey, I saw a close-up picture of the prime minister and his wife with the Obamas on HuffPo. Prime Minister Singh is giving the side eye to Michelle. Looks like he was checking her out...perhaps comparing the goddess-like FLOTUS to his wife?

Hmmmmm...think on that one, haters.

Myth

With good reason... Michelle is WEARING that dress. Is she squoooshed into it or what?

blksista

It is moving with her, I will say. She only looks squooshed around the breastesses. That's to be expected; she ain't spilling out. No big whoop to me. People are raving about her in that dress over at HuffPo. Betta visit that joint and check it out. There are the haters there, but even some Pumas are impressed--and jealous.

miss_opinion

lol @ breastesses

rikyrah

she looks stunning. her upper body - back/shoulders...are to die for

blksista

The girl hasn't been slacking in that department.

Myth

Naw. I don't need to go there. I KNOW for my ownself that she looks DIVINELY Lovely.

blksista

Now if she would get rid of those everyday g--d--n fat belts and just wore some Spanx once in a while, she'd be as perfect as tonight's dress. She should just show that figga--and make them swoon with jealousy. Thunder and lightning, ha. There's more of that than you think, haters.

Admiral_Komack

I know someone else not crazy about the First Lady's belts.
I don't understand it; she likes the belts, and they look nice, and *maybe she wears them because they draw the eyes to her form (Yeah, that's right, I'm tall!) (*my thinking).

blksista

Yeah, but they diminish her long lengthyness...

Myth

I have always wanted a dress like Michelles; one that would "squoosh" me like that around the breatesses. I just love it.

rikyrah

oh lawd, Nia Henderson from Politico is doing commentary on C-Span

rikyrah

if you have any pics of Valerie Jarrett , Alfre Woodard and Blair Underwood...please share.

also, any pics of Desiree Rogers

rikyrah

found the pic

Muzikal203

BTW, it's playing on CSPAN (TV) now

Muzikal203

So I have a cute story. I was watching Ellen the other day, and Jon Bon Jovi was on. He was telling a story about how he promised his 5 year old son they'd go somewhere and it would be a big surprise. His son wanted a clue, and all he told him was "Big ears." When he said that I automatically thought "Mickey Mouse." Well his son thought about it for like a week, and then he went to his dad all excited and said "Dad! I know where we're going! We're going to the White House!"

LOL, as Ellen pointed out, how cool is it that a 5-year old is excited about going to the White House and possibly meeting President Obama and even more wonderful that he knows who the President is and is excited about it.

Just thought I'd share that :o)

rikyrah

can you imagine that?

that a 5 year old feels that way?

it is so cool.

Guns3000

This is definitely a female's thread. I'm feeling a little effeminate after reading all these clothing critique posts. Time to get my masculinity back. I'm going to clean my guns. See you in the morning ladies.

AxelFoley

Definitely high estrogen levels in this thread, LOL.

Lisa M

LOL!! You wrong!!

WordSmith

.... I'm going to clean my guns.....

What a laugh you provided!

rikyrah

awe Guns, come on. you can comment on the President's toast

GreenLadyHere

Guns3000: WAAAAAAAAIT! Here's 1 4 U :>)

TWO VERY DEBONAIR DRESS SUITS - - FROM 2 DIFFERENT CULTURAL STYLES!!

ENJOY!! :>)

P.S. STAY - [Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs] :>)

ENJOY!! :>)

GreenLadyHere

rikyrah: A FEW MORE PICS:

+First lady Michelle Obama (L) and President Barack Obama await the arrival of the Indian Prime Minister at the North Portico of the White House November 24, 2009 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama hosted their first State Dinner for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur of India.
[LOVE HER HAIR!! :>)]

+WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 24: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (L), joined by U.S. President Barack Obama (R), arrives as they participate in a state arrival ceremony in the East Room of the White House November 24, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama hosted Prime Minister Singh in the administration�s first state visit with an Oval Office meeting, a joint news conference and a state dinner.

+U.S. President Barack Obama (R) speaks as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (L) listens during a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House November 24, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama hosted Prime Minister Singh in the administration's first state visit with an Oval Office meeting, a joint news conference and a state dinner.

+U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk out to the North Portico of the White House to greet India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur for a state dinner in Washington, November 24, 2009.

[ONE 4 AxelFoley: :>)]
+First lady Michelle Obama awaits the arrival of the Indian Prime Minister in the North Portico of the White House November 24, 2009 in Washington, DC.

+Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh (2R) and his wife Gursharan Kaur (L) stand with U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and first lady Michelle Obama before a state dinner at the North Portico of the White House November 24, 2009 in Washington, DC.
[WOW!! Sooooo - - STATELY!!]

CONGRATULATIONS - - -PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA and FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA!!

THANK U 4 REPRESENTIN' - - U.S. soooo WELL!! :>)

GreenLadyHere

rikyrah: There R PICS - - ALL OVA THE PLACE! :>)

Here R some from the WHITE HOUSE site:
+Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India: Official State Visit

Like the one givin' RESPECT 2 the GENTLEMAN who assisted in the visit by keeping the SITE in PRISTINE SHAPE!! :>)

ENJOY!! :>)

rikyrah

The Chief Protocol person for State Visits from the State Department is a SISTA - Tanya Turner.

GreenLadyHere

rikyrah: Thank U! GREAT INFO!! :>)

+WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 24: State Department Protocol Officer Tanya Turner (R) listens while First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at a preview for tonight's [PIC #12]

rikyrah

can anyone explain to me why his wife seems to have her own name..is that common in India, for a married woman to have a separate name?

GreenLadyHere

rikyrah: OF COURSE I went SEARCHIN':

Name change after marraige for women [India]

I have 2 questions:

[1] Is it absolute necessary to have a name change [surnames] for women after marriage according to Hindu Marriage Act?

[ 2] Can she keep her maiden surname?

When i searched on the net, the act doesnot mention anything.

thank you in af\dvance for anwering my queries.

SEVERAL ANSWERS WERE GIVEN FROM PEOPLE OF INDIAN DESCENT:
1. In most of the traditions in the world, every married girl replaces her maiden family name with her husband's family name. This tradition was designed by the religious leaders very long ago. By nature, women are the powerful and basic entities for constructing a family or a society. Hence they are regarded as the constructers as well as the ruiners of a family or a society. In ancient times the religious priests have devised this tradition for the following advantages:

All the family members will have the same family name
It becomes easy to identify a person in the society based on the family name
It builds up a strong sense of oneness and unity among the family members that “we are all the members of the same family holding the same family name”
It makes husband's parents to treat their daughter-in-law as their own daughter
It reveals the adaptability of a woman in her husband's house
It reveals that a girl has set up a new family after married
It reveals the mark of respect that a girl has on her husband
It also reveals the sacrifice nature and submissiveness of a girl

This tradition give rise to the idea in many hindu societies that “women are the embodiments of a family's honour and pride”. So there are many advantages for any married girl who takes her husband's family name. There exists no meaning for a family with out this tradition. This tradition elevated the status of a married woman in the society. If a woman has replaced her family name, this tradition affirms that she is married and she is not a spinster any more. This tradition also helps us to distinguish the married women from that of unmarried.

2. I read your querry and would like to answer that this is not at all necessary to change the name after the marriage. In India this is done because our society want the husband's surname at last. But there is nothing as such mentioned in law.

3. The Change in the surname after marriage, followed by husband's surname is followed in indian traditions and marriage systems. It is not mandatory to do so..

4.no, it's not mandatory. u can use ur maiden surname if u wish.

Hope this helps. :>)

rikyrah

thanks GLH. I was shocked to see it. he's the first Sikh head of India, and I would have thought that it would be more conservative.

GreenLadyHere

rikyrah: CO-SIGN on HIS conservatism!

BUT, I NOTED that the MRS. KAUR tends 2 have her - I'm KEEPIN' MY MAIDEN NAME - - NOW DEAL WITH THAT! - -"GAME FACE" on in MOST PHOTOS!

Just sayin'. . . . . . .:>)

WordSmith

When I was living in Bedford, Ohio there was something like 13 or more churches in what is a fairly small township. The drugstore next door to us had a woman working there who was Sikh. The turban is the first give-away, which as soon as I saw it, I thought DAMN! He's Sikh! In a country of Hindus; how cool is that!?

Up the street from my place was the Sikh temple and I constantly saw a couple of men strolling around the vicinity of my apartment. If I'm correct, I don't think they cut their hair.

As they're Sikh, the rules for Hindus probably don't apply?

http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_sikh.html

Look what I found!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism...

Town

No, they don't cut their hair. One of my HS classmates was Sikh (I don't think he practices anymore) and his hair was in the turban. He let it out one day and it was down to his butt!

angee

The younger ones tend to be more progressive and will were short hair and go turbanless here.
One sign that they are Sikh is the steel wrist bracelet that the men wear.

rikyrah

Earl Graves, Sr. and his wife, Barbara [BLACK ENTERPRISE]

Lisa M

That's who that is. I knew he was a publisher of some sort. Oh...Michelle is stunning.

AxelFoley

Can't mistake Earl's sideburns, LOL.

rikyrah

he's had them for forever and a day.

WordSmith

Would you call them 'muttonchops?'

rikyrah

I dunno, but Earl could care less...he thinks he looks FINE in them..so, they stay. And, they must not bother Barbara..lol

AxelFoley

I bet them joints could warm your ears in the wintertime.

rikyrah

LOL

rikyrah

Gayle looks ok...the necklace is too fussy.

rikyrah

Bloomberg's there.

rikyrah

Vernon and Ann Jordan made the list

AxelFoley

Woulda been cooler if Michael Jordan was on the list. ;-)

rikyrah

watching the arrivals on c-span.org.

Robin Roberts looks great

itgurl_29

She killed it! Just plain gorgeous and that gold looks so pretty on her skin. I don't think there's a color she can't pull off.

GreenLadyHere

HEEEEY itgurl_29: ***BIG HUG***

U! AIN'T! NEVA! LIED! :>)

FIRST LADY WEARS - - EVERY COLOR!! :>)

GOR-GE-OUS!! :>)

Town

Mrs O. blog is saying she's wearing Naeem Khan, they were guessing it would be between him and Rachel Roy. I don't really see Rachel Roy as a fancy gown designer IMO.

rikyrah

i thought you were going to say you don't see her as a designer, period...lol

Town

I would LOVE a Rachel Roy piece but her stuff is too high for me! I don't know why, but I can't see her designing a gown...or should I say, an elegant gown. Which is weird because most of her pieces are very elegant.

angee

Rachel is more pretty dresses and separates I think. Definitely not evening or ball gown kind of designer.

Town

http://twitpic.com/qt978

Michelle Obama's dress.

rikyrah

love that she kept it simple around her neckline

GreenLadyHere

rikyrah: ***shufflin' through the GUEST LIST***

Hmmmmmm! Coulda SWORE I received an INVITE!! :>) :>)

Lisa M

I'm thinkin' mine got lost in the mail along with Robin Givhan's.

GreenLadyHere

Lisa M: LOL!! :>) :>)

BUT- - - really- - -SHE! DI' 'IN'T! GET! 1! :>)

Soooooo - - - yours is - - - -where mine is. :>) I guess. . . . :>)

Town

Robin Givhan? Unless she's in the press box, she's standing outside the White House Gate.

Hmm. Tim Kaine? Not on list.

Reggie Love? Didn't see him on the list.

Robin Roberts? On the list.

Cokie Roberts? Standing next to Sally Quinn outside the White House gate.

I didn't see Oprah on the list either. I saw Gayle on the list. Is this a complete list?

rikyrah

Gayle already said Oprah had a previous engagement.

Town

Wow, what "previous engagement" trumps the White House inviting you to a State Dinner? I wouldn't care if it was Thanksgiving Day and I was cooking, if I got an engraved invitation from the President requesting my presence at the White House...let's just say everybody would be eating a Stouffer's Turkey and Stuffing frozen dinner. LOL

Admiral_Komack

If it were me, they'd be eating bologna sandwiches (and the cherry Kool-Aid is in the fridge).

AxelFoley

Say word.

Let's see, cooking and making a mess in the kitchen for Thanksgiving, or getting catered at the White House? LOL, not a tough choice.

Admiral_Komack

What to do, what to do...

GreenLadyHere

HEEEY AxelFoley: There is a PIC 4 U in my post BELOW!! :>)

AxelFoley

Thanks, GLH. Pics of my--er, OUR First Lady always bring a smile to my face. ;-)

GreenLadyHere

AxelFoley: LOL!! :>) :>)

U! JUST! KEEP ON ENJOYIN' - - - -as WE DO!! :>)

rikyrah

i'm with you, Town. I'd leave the money for Mickey D's and call it a day...

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